56 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL llORTKMiLTUnAL S0(^1RT^■. 



(fig. 35) is foolloss. nnd \\lii(ish iti colour, ineasuiing approximately 

 one inch in lenglli wIumi [Uliy umdirod. 'i'lie adults are very liaudsonio 

 insects and are closely related to the so-called " diamond beetles." 



At the present moment one can say very little regarding tlie 

 geographical distribution of this pest outside the Island of Jamaica. 

 There is, so far as one can find, no record of its occurrence as a pest 

 in the Lesser i\ntilles, Ihough se^'pt•;1l nllied snout-becM.les occur in 

 Barbados — the \^'eevil-borrrs of llu> siii^iif cmiii' [Splii'iioplioriis scriccns 

 and Diaprepes al>hrrr'ni I us) and the grain or granary weevil {Calmidra 

 onjzae). In Dominica and Montserrat is the destructive palm-weevil 

 {Rliyncophorus palmarum); and in Trinidad the banana is attacked by 

 Sphenopliorus sordidus. 



As to the distribution of the girdler-beetle in Jamaica one has very 

 httle information to rely upon, but it evidently occurs in widely 

 separated portions of the island, so that in all probability it is generally 

 distributed. But it is satisfactory to note that it was not observed 



Fig. 35. — Girdler Weevil (and Larva) of Orange and Cacao (Prepodes 

 viTTATUs). (Natural size.) 



in many of the large cacao plantations and in two extensive orange 

 groves which I inspected during the months of December and January 

 (1908-9). 



The most effective measure for the prevention of the attacks of 

 the insect is removal of the surface soil from the base of the tree 

 trunks, replacing it with loose rock chippings, or small stones. Un- 

 fortunately, the injury is often done before the planter is aware of the 

 presence of the pest. Plantations of cacao or orange groves found 

 harbouring the grubs should, therefore, be carefully examined, and if 

 the infestation is found to be extensive it may be necessary to treat 

 all of the healthy trees in the way that has been indicated. Bisulphide 

 of carbon, if obtainable in large quantities and at a cheap rate, would 

 doubtless prove effective in destroying the grubs. 



A layer of gas lime spread round the stem of the trees might 

 well act as a preventive against the beetles laying their eggs at the 

 foot of the plants. But even if it were proved experimentally to be 



